Special Events

Thursday, June 27

COVENANT MINISTERIUM ANNUAL MEETING
8:30am – noon; 1:00 – 4:30pm
The Covenant Ministerium will meet at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center on Thursday, June 27, from 8:30am to 4:30pm and all licensed and ordained pastors, staff ministers, chaplains, and missionaries are urged to attend. The meeting will include business, introduction of persons recommended for permanent credentials, and a continuing education component. If you are participating in Covenant Mission Detroit, we encourage you to divide your time between these two valuable experiences.
On the Schedule: Dr. Richard Carlson, Professor Emeritus of Ministry at North Park Theological Seminary, preaching at the opening worship service. Richard was scheduled to preach for the Covenant Ministerium meeting in 2012, but his status with cancer did not allow such. We praise God for the significant healing that has occurred since then.
• A two-part continuing education experience with Dr. Steven and Celestia Tracy, founders of “Mending the Soul,” a ministry focused on helping people heal from domestic violence, human trafficking, and other forms of abuse. The ministry provides training and resources for leaders to advocate for the survivors of abuse and reach out to them with the love of God.
• A two-part business session with abbreviated reports (many of which will be submitted digitally prior to the meeting). Sixty-six persons will be presented for permanent credentials.

NEW DELEGATE ORIENTATION
3:00 – 4:30pm
Delegates are invited to attend orientation on Thursday, June 27, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Meet other delegates and Covenant leaders in a relaxed setting. The purpose and parliamentarian process of the Covenant Annual Meeting will be explained, and a case study will be reviewed by this year’s moderator, vice-moderator and parliamentarian.

COVENANT MISSION DETROIT MINISTRY FAIR
Leaders from the Mission Detroit ministry sites will be available at the Renaissance Center to engage in dialogue with those interested in further information regarding the wide range of love mercy and do justice ministries experienced during the pre-Annual Meeting event.

COVENANT RETIRED CLERGY AND MISSIONARY BANQUET
5:00 – 6:45pm
All retired Covenant clergy,missionaries, and their spouses are invited to the 14th Annual Covenant Retired Clergy and Missionary Banquet on Thursday evening. Enjoy a time of fellowship, food, and honoring the lifetime achievements of  our retired ministers and missionaries as well as greetings from Covenant administrators. Host Dean Lundgren, director of pensions, will give an update on the Covenant Pension Plan. Please reserve your spot during the registration process.

THURSDAY FEATURED GUESTS

THE DETROIT CHILDREN’S CHOIR
7:00pm worship service
One of the highlights of the Annual Meeting is the opportunity to gather with Covenanters from around the world for worship. This summer, the opening service will feature the Detroit Children’s Choir led by Carol Schoch, a Covenanter from the Detroit area. Founded in 2006, the choir brings a message of hope and a call to unity that complements the Covenant’s passion for mission and ministry. All of the worship services are open to the public.

Friday, June 28

DEEPER WITH COVENANT WORLD RELIEF
7:00 – 8:15am
Join Covenant World Relief (CWR) for a light breakfast Friday morning to learn about our disaster relief and community development projects on five continents this year. Hear from our director, members of the CWR advisory team, and from missionaries connected to CWR ministries. RSVP during the registration process.

AAMA ANNUAL CELEBRATION BANQUET
5:00 – 6:45pm
The African American Ministers Association (AAMA) members and guests are invited to a celebration banquet Friday evening in honor of our ordinands and graduates. Please RSVP during the registration process.

COVENANT WORLD MISSION RECEPTION
9 – 11pm
Join us on Friday night after the worship service, to honor newly commissioned missionaries and retiring staff who faithfully serve national churches and the covenant around the world.

Saturday, June 28

ACCW AWARDS RECEPTION
12:15 – 1:15pm
Advocates for Covenant Clergy Women (ACCW) partners, delegates, and Annual Meeting attendees are invited to this time of fellowship, connection, and to hear the faithful stories of the 2012 ACCW award winners. Please reserve your spot at this lunch during the registration process.

REHEARSAL FOR THE SERVICE OF ORDINATION, COMMISSIONING, AND CONSECRATION
3:30 – 5pm
This rehearsal is mandatory for all credentialing candidates, members of the Board of the Ordered Ministry, and guests participating in the Saturday evening worship service. Please arrive promptly at the Renaissance Ballroom.

CELEBRATION OF SERVICE RECEPTION
9 – 11pm
HONORING FAITHFUL SERVICE AND WELCOMING NEW LEADERS RECEPTION
Following the Saturday evening worship service, all are invited to join together as we celebrate and honor Covenant leaders transitioning out of their current positions and those transitioning into new leadership positions. We will recognize Donn Engebretson, transitioning to a new role as director for global advancement for the ECC; Don Meyer, retiring executive minister of communications, Dave Olson, concluding service as executive minister of church growth and evangelism, Meritt Lohr Sawyer, newly appointed executive director of Paul Carlson Parternship, the newly elected superintendent of the North Pacific Conference (Greg Yee is nominee), and the newly called executive director of communications.